The New Classic Cycling Mountain Range

The New Classic Cycling Mountain Range

The Atlas Mountains near Marrakesh are just waiting to be discovered. Surprisingly good road surfaces, amazing early season weather, a warm culture and some incredible climbs makes this a must ride destination. Get there before everyone else!

Morocco by MLDT

​Routes Details

​Itinerary

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​Ride NotesThis five night trip with four guided rides is a great introduction to a new cycling region. We have fantastic local guides to show you the local culture and MLDT team to help you with anything you need. From your arrival in Marrakesh you will have an English speaking guide with you the whole time and a support vehicle. You will see ancient towns, small mountain communities and explore the great city of Marrakesh. But the real draw is the world class cycling over quiet roads in the mountains. We go over two passes above 2,000m, both incredible roads that are as good for cycling as anywhere in the world. Come ride somewhere new in 2019!

Ride Highlights

Ride somewhere NEW!

Finish in Marrakesh

Ride two 2,000m passes

Stop for mint tea

Explore off the beaten path Morocoo

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Mile markers in Arabic & Berber, the sound of call to prayer, riding in the sun near snow capped peaks in February. Morocco is such an exotic change from other part of the world, lets discover the new destination!

​It's one of the world's most exotic cities. Marrakesh is full of stunning Riads, ancient markets and exotic food. We arrive here on day 5 and have a walking tour that evening . The last morning is free to explore the town.

​We go over 2,000m twice on roads built by the French between the wars. Great long climbs with hairpins and stunning views, this is early season climbing at it's best.

​Soak up the local Berber culture. That means switch out the coffee for mint tea, the pasta for tangines.

Off the bike we have time to explore both Marrakesh & stunning Ouarzazate. This ancient town is our base on night 4.

​Trip Summary

5 Night Breaks

Dates available: Tues to Sun in late Feb & March

Total distance: Avg 131km per day

Total elevation: Avg 1,700m per day

Prices from £599 per person

Route OverviewOur 5 night Atlas Mountain break runs in late Feb and March. Arriving on Tuesday we drive to outside Marrakesh and then head south to Tizi n Test. From there we head to the oasis town of Taliouine before heading back to Marrakesh over another 2,000m pass. Each ride is just over 100km and we ride for most of the day.

Stage One:From Imlil to Tizi n TestRide Distance:104kmElevation Gain:2089m​We start cycling down to Asni town and take a short break with a possibility to visit the souk (local market). We then ride towards Ouirgane valley and head to Tizi n'Test pass. The pass was built in the 1930s and is an amazing feat of engineering. The road is narrow at times and by bike is the best way to see this incredible place with sweeping views for miles. We spend the night near the top.

Stage Two:From Tizi n Test to TaliouineRide Distance:109kmElevation Gain:853mA much easier day than day 1. After the long descent off Tizi n Test we turn left onto a long straight section, perfect for some chainganging. This is a remote part of the Atlas and the Sportive Breaks train with 2 support vans on the back looks quite the picture cutting through the desert!

Stage Three:From Taliouine to OuarzazateRide Distance:166kmElevation Gain:1961mA rolling day in the remote Atlas. Almost exactly 100 miles of glorious quiet roads on nice tarmac. The majority of the climbing is in the first half of the ride and then we mostly descend down to the stunning town of Ouarzazate.

Stage Four:From Ouarzazate to Ait Ourir (drive to Marrakesh)Ride Distance:145kmElevation Gain:1950mWe save the best ride to last. Breakfast in Ouarzazate, dinner in Marrakesh and two great cols to climb including Tizi n Tichka which goes over 2,000m. We leave the lunar landscape of the Atlas to the lush valleys closer to Marrakesh. A varied day and one of the best rides you will find.

Morocco Cycling Itinerary

Our Atlas Mountain breaks run from Marrakech to Marrakech, We arrive on the airport in time to set bikes up and leave late from Marrakesh with four epic rides in the middle.

Itinerary:​Day One: Imlil

Arrival day. Fly into Marrakesh where our host will meet you for the transfer to the Imlil valley where we spend the night. This is at the altitude of 1775m so we can quickly acclimatise to the altitude.

Day Two: Imlil to Tizi n’TestBreakfast on the roof terrace with panoramic views on the Mt Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa at 4167m of altitude. We start cycling down to Asni town and take a short break with a possibility to visit the souk (local market). We then ride towards Ouirgane valley and head to Tizi n'Test pass. The pass was built in the 1930s and is an amazing feat of engineering. The road is narrow at times and by bike is the best way to see this incredible place with sweeping views for miles. We spend the night near the top.

Ride Distance:104 km.Elevation Gain:2089 m.

Day Three: Tizi n Test to TaliouineWe start with the descent off the Tizi n'Test pss to the Souss plain with incredible views. We then make a left turn to ride across the base of the Atlas towards the oasis town of Taliouine. Today is a much flatter day with a lot less climbing than yesterday in a pretty, remote part of the country. We spend the night in the Oasis town of Taliouine. This is a pretty town famed for it's safron, one of the world's most expensive spices.

Ride Distance: 109 km.Elevation Gain:853 m.

Day Four: Taliouine to OuarzazateAfter yesterdays easy / flat day, today is rolling throughout. We roll out at 9am for a full day on the bike with a lunch stop and regular snacks at the feed stations. This is the most remote we go on the trip. We finish in the ancient town of Ouarzazate with an evening to explore the town. Our support vehicles are available throughout the ride if you want to skip a part of this ride.

Ride Distance: 166 km.Elevation Gain:1961 m.

Day Five: Ouarzazate to MarrakeshA classic final day on the bike. We head over Tizi n'Tichka, one of the great roads in Northern Africa going over 2,000m before descending into the lush valleys closer to Marrakesh. We finish just outside the city and drive into town. In the evening we have a walking tour of Marrakesh before dinner by the market. A great end to an epic 4 days of riding in the Atlas.

Ride Distance:145 km.Elevation Gain: 1950 m.

Day Six: MarrakeshFinal morning at leisure to check out the markets of Marrakesh before we head back to the airport.

Airport Transfers:Airport collections are from Marrakesh (RAK).

Arrival:We will meet you in arrivals and give you a number to call if you are delayed.